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SCOPE Magazine

Science Center Hosts Celebration of Nerd Music and Culture

Saturday, August 8, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 a.m.

Sunday, August 9, 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Orlando Nerd Fest is a celebration of all things nerdy and will be hosted at Orlando Science Center this year. This music festival features two concert stages with nerd-related musicians whose genres include Nerdcore, VGM, Chiptune, Steampunk, Anime, J-Pop, K-Pop, LMNOP-Pop, Comedy and more! In addition to live music, the festival will include artwork displays, cosplay, video games, Sci Fi and Fantasy vendors, as well as admission to Mummies of the World: The Exhibition.

This event will be a different experience for regular Science Center visitors with more than 24 nerdy musical acts and multiple displays set up throughout the building. It will appeal to more of an older crowd with bands hitting the stages at scheduled times on Saturday, August 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. and Sunday, August 9 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

There will be 50 vendors and exhibitors will be positioned around every floor of the Science Center except for in All Aboard, NatureWorks and KidsTown. Other exhibits will be relocated to accommodate the event. Orlando Nerd Fest will also include a 21 and up lounge after 6:00 p.m.

Avoid the lines and purchase presale tickets by visiting www.osc.org/nerdfest. Orlando Nerd Fest tickets can be purchased for $27 each or $50 for a 2-day pass. In addition to Nerd Fest performances, vendors, gaming and lounges, ticket holders will have access all four floors of exhibits at Orlando Science Center, including the blockbuster exhibit Mummies of the World, giant-screen educational films, and live programming. Proceeds from Orlando Nerd Fest ticket sales support Orlando Science Center’s mission to “inspire science learning for life.”

After 60 wonderful years serving the greater Central Florida community, Orlando Science Center has a great story to tell.

In 1955, a passionate group of volunteers banded together to educate and engage our community in the wonder of real science. They took their message directly to the people using “suitcase science” – cases full of experiments and demonstrations – and connected with people of all ages in schools, libraries, bank lobbies, even empty storefronts.

From those humble beginnings, Orlando Science Center has grown to be a focal point for education and exploration in our community, but one thing has not changed – our passion for inspiring science learning for life.

In this video, many of our longtime donors and special friends share Orlando Science Center's story in their own words. Their heartfelt words remind us why what we do is so important.

To celebrate Orlando Science Center’s 500,000th visitor during our 60th anniversary year, we surprised a family in the admissions line with a presentation of goodies delivered by the programming staff; new resident robot, PAL; and President and CEO JoAnn Newman.

Rachel Zabar and Rebecca DuPrey are childhood best friends. Rebecca and her daughter Abigail were visiting the Zabar family from New York and they decided to visit Orlando Science Center with their families! The families enjoyed a private tour of Mummies of the World: The Exhibition a meet and greet with our resident robot PAL and a baby alligator, and received many other VIP perks, including a free annual membership and a gift bag from the new Science Store.

Last year you helped us reach "Featured" Maker Faire status and everyone, even the White House, has noticed how much Orlandoans love Maker Faire Orlando!

Orlando Science Center was invited to the White House to participate in a kick-off event for the National Week of Making. The event included a broad range of participants from government, industry, nonprofits, foundations, and local communities, and highlighted new steps that federal agencies and others are taking in response to President Obama’s call to action to create a "Nation of Makers."

Our own Angella van Gelder, director of special events, represented Orlando Science Center at the event as well as attended the National Maker Faire in Washington, D.C.

We were honored to represent local Makers at the White House and can't wait to show you what this year has in store: more exhibits, more crazy creations, and more Makers! Mark your calendars for Maker Faire Orlando 2015 on September 12–13.

Saturday, August 15, 2015, 7:30 a.m.

Presented by Florida Hospital and the Track Shack Foundation, the 23rd Annual Celebration of Running 5K will be held at Orlando Cultural Park across from the Orlando Science Center.

Participants from all fitness levels are invited to walk or run the 3.1-mile course located throughout quaint neighborhoods on the outskirts of downtown Orlando. Paid entrants will receive a commemorative T-shirt, a finisher’s medal, ice-cold refreshments, Florida Hospital’s interactive health screenings and special prizes awarded to significant finishers at the end of the race.

There will also be a Healthy 100 Kids' Run. Kids' runs are free for all children. Distances range from 100 yards to one mile and children will be placed in age-appropriate groups. The first 125 registered participants will receive a T-shirt.

Enjoy a scenic route as you celebrate running with Track Shack and support Orlando Science Center at the same time.

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR ORLANDO SCIENCE CENTER, A FLORIDA-BASED NONPROFIT CORPORATION (REGISTRATION NO. CH2342), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE OR VISITING THEIR WEBSITE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.